Lawrence graduate puts people skills to good use

Shanice Johnson, a student at the Lawrence Education Center, is the type of person who’s comfortable talking to anyone.

That’s come in handy over the past few months as the 18-year-old has learned the ropes at the McDonald’s at 522 W. Jefferson St.

She got the job through the school, and her impeccable customer-service skills have allowed her to graduate with the Prepared Youth to Work Employed Student of the Year Award, which is given annually to a Lawrence student who has distinguished herself or himself in classroom work and at part-time jobs.

Johnson usually works the front counter at the restaurant.

“It’s easy for me. I like smiling. I like talking to people,” Johnson said.

Lawrence is home to the Springfield School District’s adult and continuing education programs. The school is holding its graduation ceremony at 7 p.m. today at Springfield High School. Fifty-eight students will receive diplomas, and 53 will get their GED certificates.

Johnson will receive her award during the graduation ceremony.

Prior to attending Lawrence, she was a student at Lanphier High School. But she fell behind due to repeatedly missing classes.

“My attendance was bad, which meant my grades were dropping. It was hard to catch up on classes,” Johnson said. “If I woke up and didn’t feel like I wanted to go to school, I wouldn’t go.”

Looking back, Johnson said she realizes she made some poor choices. Luckily, family members and the staff at Lawrence motivated her to turn things around.

“I started having a positive mind frame. That helped a lot,” she said.

Working at McDonald’s also has taught her a lot, Johnson said. She’s learned the importance of showing up to work on time, how to multitask and how to work under pressure.

“You have to learn how to be patient, fast and accurate,” Johnson said.

Due to its proximity to the downtown Abraham Lincoln sites, the McDonald’s on Jefferson gets a lot of customers from schools on field trips.

“There are usually four buses a day. You still have to greet every customer and treat them just like any other customer,” Johnson said.

Janet Ulm, the workforce specialist at Lawrence, said all of these skills will help Johnson later in life.

“She knows how to organize her time and plan a schedule. We’re preparing her for life,” Ulm said.

Johnson wants to attend the University of Illinois Springfield or Lincoln Land Community College and major in English.